Valley Cross and Championships Galore

State   and   Regional   Chamionships   lead   up   to   Nationals   in   December

photo courtesy of Valley Cross

This Saturday in West Des Moines is the lone edition of Valley Cross for the year, but that's hardly your only option for racing as we kick off championship season 2021. 

The Minnesota Championship is part of two days of racing near Minneapolis this weekend, and the Wisconsin Championship is Saturday in Waterloo. ​

Then over the holiday weekend are the South Dakota Championship in Souix Falls and the Midwest Regional Championship in Crown Point, Indiana, just southeast of Chicago. ​Whether you're building toward Nationals or just prolonging your season, get ready to race!

Valley   Cross   EXpected   to   Be   Dry    And   Fast

All three race venues this weekend are likely to be dry, but none are likely to be faster than Valley Cross. "The type of rider that will excel here is the huge power guys," said Keith Snoop, "since most corners are sweeping and don’t require much speed scrubbed off, no need to stand up and sprint out of every corner.
​"One section on the backside has you going across a natural berm a few times snaking up and down it. Other features include a set of 2x4 barriers on the little climb up to the berm area which is an optional dismount, but most people seem to be able to ride it." 

"The course will be dry and fast," said Race Director Jeff Osborn. "We’ve added a run up and a couple technical spots to slow it down just a bit."

photos by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)

The permanent cyclocross course has been mowed and open for riding all season. Last year, when most events were cancelled due to Covid-19, Valley Cross managed two days of racing before a tighter lockdown nixed a third. This year Saturday is the only day to race Valley Cross.

"It’s a great venue and has something for every racer," said Osborn. "Plus, all race categories other than juniors have a chance to earn some cash." 

If you're in Eastern Iowa, the Wisconsin Championship in Waterloo might not be much further away than West Des Moines, and that's on Trek's amazing backyard World Cup-worthy cx course. The Minnesota Championship is another option if you want to race both days this weekend.

The day after Thanksgiving is  the South Dakota Championship in Souix Falls. That's a bit of a drive, but if you're in the neighborhood and looking to race, check it out.

Region   Riot   Cross   hosts   the   Midwest   Regional   Championship

Sunday, November 28 is Region Riot Cross in Crown Point, Indiana, just southeast of Chicago. This is the fourth edition of Region Riot Cross, but its first as the Midwest Championship, after Montrose Harbor was cancelled for the year.

"All the Chicago Cross Cup people will be here," said Race Director Rick Baisa, "We consider ourselves part of that scene." Hopefully, with the US National Championship happening in the Chicago area just over a week away, the promise of regional-level competition will draw racers from throughout the Midwest.

Region Riot Cross, the brainchild of Rob Curtis of PSImet Wheels, unfolds in Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point. "It is a really cool course," said Baisa. "Lots of varying terrain, with forested elements, a covered bridge, out buildings, and a cool hill. There is a great section before the bridge called the surf that is all back and forth up and down a little ravine.  It is a lot of fun."

In 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns kept the Chicago Cross Cup and the National Championships from happening. As Baisa explained, this year uncertainty has continued: "Most clubs promoting races haven’t done much until two weeks prior, because nobody knew what the 'vid was gonna do." 

That may not be so bad for more local races, but for a Regional Championship it certainly isn't ideal.